# Macération Rosé Extra Brut Grand Cru (NV)

- **Producer:** Champagne Eric Rodez
- **Colour:** rosé
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- **Region:** Champagne, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €75
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, rose, grapefruit, brioche, toast, butter, vanilla, smoke, dried cranberry, dried fig, almond, forest floor

## About this wine

Champagne Eric Rodez is located in the prestigious Grand Cru village of Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims. Led by Eric Rodez, an eighth-generation winemaker and former cellar master at Krug, the estate is renowned for its meticulous blending and biodynamic practices. The 'Macération' Rosé is a unique 'Author's Wine' (Vin d'Auteur) that showcases Rodez's mastery of blending. Unlike most rosé Champagnes made by adding red wine, this cuvée utilizes skin-macerated Pinot Noir blended with Chardonnay, resulting in a deeply complex, structured, and vinous sparkling wine.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Eric Rodez is a former cellar master at the legendary House of Krug, bringing immense blending expertise.
- The estate has been practicing biodynamic viticulture in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay since 1989.
- Starting with recent releases, this multi-vintage cuvée is labeled with 'Edition' numbers to track the base vintage and blend details.

## Food pairing

This is a highly vinous, structured rosé Champagne with notable grip and high acidity. The skin-maceration of Pinot Noir gives it the weight and light tannic structure of a light red wine, making it exceptionally suited for rich proteins like duck, lamb, and tuna, while the high acidity cuts through fat and cleanses the palate.

## Wine making process

This Champagne is crafted using a highly complex blending method. It combines skin-macerated Pinot Noir (providing color, structure, and deep red fruit character) with traditionally pressed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A significant portion of the base wines are fermented in small oak barrels (foudres and pièces) without undergoing malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness and tension. The wine is aged on its lees for several years before being disgorged with a very low dosage (Extra Brut).